Animations for Acoustics Education

Phase Velocity Versus Group Velocity

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The envelope travels at the group speed whereas the individual phase fronts travel at the phase speed. For the particular case shown, the phase speed is twice the group speed. One particular phase front is indicated by the large round dot for clarity. You can clearly see the phases travel twice as fast as the envelope. (102K)
This animation was inspired by Theoretical Physics on the Personal Computer by E. W. Schmid, G. Spitz, and W. Lösch, English Edition, Trans. A. H. Armstrong (Springer-Verlag, 1988), pp. 123-133.

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© 1995 - 1998, Victor W. Sparrow.
Most recent update: 5/5/98
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